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US President-elect Donald Trump talks to the media with his wife Melania Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington (Image: Getty)

Who will be there?

The prime 1,600 guests include Barack Obama, the Speaker of the House, former Presidents, diplomatic corps, Cabinet members and nominees, Congressmen and women, governors and the joint chiefs of staff.

So that'll be George W Bush, who Trump accused of lying about Iraq, and Bill Clinton, who he called "the worst abuser of women in US political history".

There's also Bill's wife Hillary, who you may remember vaguely from somewhere.

It'll be a rare public appearance for former Democratic nominee Mrs Clinton - dubbed "crooked Hillary" by Trump during the bitter election campaign - since her defeat in November.

Since she gave her concession speech it's emerged she beat Trump by a wide margin in the popular vote, even though he won through the electoral college.

WASHINGTON - JANUARY 20: U.S President Barack Obama gives his inaugural address during his inauguration as the 44th President of the United States of America on the West Front of the Capitol January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Image: Getty)

What are the inauguration day traditions?

A morning prayer: Franklin D Roosevelt began this tradition for the incoming President in 1933. Presidents Obama, Bush, Bush, Reagan, Truman and Roosevelt all attended theirs at the St John's Episcopal Church, across the street from the White House.

The 2 Presidents join forces: The departing and incoming President have a brief meeting at the White House before travelling together for two miles to the Capitol, home of the US legislature and scene of all modern-day inaugurations.

Vice President takes the oath: Vice-President-elect Mike Pence will be the first to repeat the oath of office, likely to be read to him by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, on the 'Inaugural platform' outside the Capitol.

The President is sworn in: Here's the famous bit. All being well this will be outdoors too - though freezing weather has forced past Presidents indoors as recently as Ronald Reagan in 1985. Trump will likely swear on the Bible. The 35-word oath must be read exactly as in the constitution and in 2009 Obama took it again because a word was in the wrong place.

The Inaugural Address: Every President since George Washington has delivered one, ranging from his 135 words to William Henry Harrison's 8,445 words in 1841. ( Expect history to be made. Roosevelt declared in 1933: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself". In 1961 John F Kennedy said: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."

Everyone say Bye Obama! With that the ex-President usually makes a swift and high-profile exit. Since 1977 this has happened by sending him into a helicopter, but it's also happened by train, car and jet.

Time for lunch: A bit like a wedding, the formal bit's now over and gives way to a long afternoon of feasting and partying. The Inaugural Luncheon is held in the Capitol's grand Statuary Hall and includes speeches and food from the President's home state. New York pastrami anyone?

The Inaugural Parade: The new President takes up his seat in the Presidential Reviewing Stand (yes, really) to review more than 8,000 ceremonial soldiers, floats and marching bands proceeding down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Think everyone from the Boy Scouts of America to several High School bands. Jimmy Carter broke precedent by joining the parade himself.

FILE – 18 JANUARY 2013: On January 20th Bill Clinton was inaugurated as the 42nd President of the United States 20 years ago in 1993 at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. The twentieth anniversary of his inauguration is remembered as President Barack Obama is privately sworn in for his second term in office as the 44th President of the USA while publically in a ceremony the following day on Monday, January 21, 2013. 291964 08: (NO NEWSWEEK - NO USNEWS) President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary dance at an inaugural ball January 20, 1997 in Washington, DC. Clinton attended various inaugural balls after his defeat of Bob Dole in the national presidential election. (Photo by Cynthia Johnson/Liaison) (Image: Getty)

What are the exact timings for the main ceremony?

3pm GMT President Barack Obama and President-elect Trump have coffee or tea at the White House.

4pm “The President’s Own” US Marine Band performs. Dignitaries will take their seats, including former presidents George W Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter with their wives, the former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Rosalynn Carter. Trump and Mrs Clinton will come face-to-face for the first time since she lost the election.

4.45pm Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas administers the vice presidential oath of office to Vice President Pence – the first African American to preside over the services.

4.50pm Mormon Tabernacle Choir of 360 men and women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - JANUARY 20: Crowds look towards the Capitol during the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America on the National Mall January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama becomes the first African-American to be elected to the office of President in the history of the United States. (Photo by Emily Barnes/Getty Images) (Image: Getty)

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4.55pm Chief Justice John Roberts administers the presidential oath of office to President Trump. Trumpets perform “Ruffles and Flourishes” and the US Marine Band performs “Hail to the Chief,” followed by a 21-gun salute

5pm President Trump delivers the inaugural address. Trump’s speech will be a “philosophical document” rather than a description of policy plans.

5.30pmJackie Evancho sings the national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner”. She was a reality TV contestant on “America’s Got Talent”.

5.39pm President Trump signs official documents. The Trumps then attend the inauguration luncheon at the Capitol with the Pences. By this point, Obama will have handed over the reins of the world’s most powerful nation. A military aide with a briefcase holding the US nuclear launch codes will stop trailing Obama and leave the US Capitol in Trump’s entourage.

Where can I watch it?

The entire thing will be live on RTE News at 4pm but if you can't get to a TV you can follow it on our live blog here.